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Understanding 9/11Sherlock Holmes OTR - Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce
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- Public Domain Mark 1.0
52 shows from the Mutual Broadcasting System radio program starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. The show was sponsored in 1939-40 by Grove's Bromo Quinine and later enjoyed an extended run as The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes under the sponsorship of Petri Wines. These recordings are of varying quality with most in the good to very good sound range. The files have been tagged with the most accurate information available and each file name begins with the original broadcast air date.
Reviews
Reviewer:
Rubence
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
August 6, 2022
Subject: Enjoyed Immensely
Subject: Enjoyed Immensely
We must accept these shows for what they are, a twist on the original Holmes and Watson, and far removed from Conan Doyle's original idea. Rathbone plays a more human Holmes and Bruce a bumbling and confused Dr Watson, both characters work well for these scripts and are not for the purist, that must be said. The nostalgia and innocence they evoke is relaxing and enjoyable , while the plots lack depth, they are nevertheless pleasant and somehow soothing. I wouldn't recommend John Stanley's portrayal of Holmes to anyone ; far too egotistical and acerbic, often cutting Watson to the core with sarcasm and mocking retort.
as I said earlier, enjoy these shows for what they are, not what we would like them to be.
as I said earlier, enjoy these shows for what they are, not what we would like them to be.
Reviewer:
Alyosha48
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
August 4, 2022
Subject: The new Sherlock and Watson Standard
Subject: The new Sherlock and Watson Standard
Whilst I enjoyed many of the above; they don’t compare with the latest, and I would assert, to date the very best adaptations. It is The Sherlock Holmes starring Clive Merrison ???? Williams all 74 episodes of the BBC audio dramas which can be found here on archive.org.
The actor who plays Watson, and has equal billing alongside Merrison is ????? Williams his Christian name for the moment escapes me, (apologies to both reader of this and the actor himself). In their audio dramatisations they are not just perfectly cast, but if you have had the opportunity to view the BBC TV blockbuster series SHERLOCK, when I say Williams & Merrison outshine the recent tv pairing you will better able to grasp just how magnificent this pairing are. The Williams ‘Watson’ is no comedic foil for Holmes, but rather an irascible and at times assertive character which brings a grit which, all this whilst remaining a romantic at heart....
Check it out, one rather thinks you will enjoy!
The actor who plays Watson, and has equal billing alongside Merrison is ????? Williams his Christian name for the moment escapes me, (apologies to both reader of this and the actor himself). In their audio dramatisations they are not just perfectly cast, but if you have had the opportunity to view the BBC TV blockbuster series SHERLOCK, when I say Williams & Merrison outshine the recent tv pairing you will better able to grasp just how magnificent this pairing are. The Williams ‘Watson’ is no comedic foil for Holmes, but rather an irascible and at times assertive character which brings a grit which, all this whilst remaining a romantic at heart....
Check it out, one rather thinks you will enjoy!
Reviewer:
jonfrum
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
January 19, 2022
Subject: Up and down quality
Subject: Up and down quality
Some of these are quite good, but some are gimmicky and foolish. I agree with the previous reviewer - I'd skip the Moriarty episodes. The may as well have brought in the Wolfman or Charlie Chan. Moriarty - even in the originals - was an excuse to not have to be creative.
Reviewer:
smbhax
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
April 18, 2020
Subject: Rathbone and Bruce continue their charming partnership
Subject: Rathbone and Bruce continue their charming partnership
These mysteries aren't all up to Conan Doyle's very high standards, but Rathbone remains the iconic Sherlock, and Bruce, though his interpretation of the Watson role is very much more baffled and bumbling than the original, is nevertheless a brilliant actor and thoroughly entertaining, effortlessly humanizing Holmes' exercises in logic.
The writers--as modern writers have--were much to fascinated with Moriarty as a sort of recurring sadistic supervillain character--handy because his crimes don't have to make as much sense as others--and this became tiresome to the point where I would just skip the episode at the mention of his name. Not my thing.
Fortunately there are plenty of non-Moriarty adventures and even if they aren't all cracking examples of logical twists, they're at least halfway decent thrillers and good fun.
The writers--as modern writers have--were much to fascinated with Moriarty as a sort of recurring sadistic supervillain character--handy because his crimes don't have to make as much sense as others--and this became tiresome to the point where I would just skip the episode at the mention of his name. Not my thing.
Fortunately there are plenty of non-Moriarty adventures and even if they aren't all cracking examples of logical twists, they're at least halfway decent thrillers and good fun.
Reviewer:
xopt
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
May 7, 2017
Subject: best sherlock ever
Subject: best sherlock ever
Rathbone was the best sherlock Holmes ever IMO... his voice and presence were great. Watson took a far more comic role in this version the the books..
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